Air Malta strongly denied that “its 45-year unblemished safety record is being compromised or diminished in any way”, in response to a statement by the pilot’s union, ALPA, which said the national carrier failed to carry out a safety risk assessment before demoting several flight captains, as required.

The Airline stated that risk assessments have been conducted and are still being done as the situation evolves.

ALPA claimed that Air Malta did not carry out a safety risk assesment before demoting a number of flight captains to officers, rendering the move illegal.

“Air Malta fails to understand ALPA’s rationale, whereby it seems to be persistently doing its utmost to damage the Airline’s good safety reputation at a time when the industry requires all stakeholders to group together to navigate through this unprecedented storm.”

Airlines around the world have been hit hard because of the pandemic, with thousands of employees having been made redundant, something which Air Malta worked hard with its unions to avoid, the national carrier said.

“However, for jobs to be secure whilst safeguarding the company’s viability, compromise and goodwill from all staff members is required.

“Air Malta remains open to discussions in good faith to reach an agreement which will secure sustainability and future viability of the Company whilst securing the maximum number of jobs.”

ALPA had said Air Malta should have commissioned a Safety Risk Assessment in terms of the airline's 'Safety Management System Manual', and as required by Transport Malta's Civil Aviation Directorate.

"This has given rise to a state of illegality leading to newly-demoted pilots being pulled off rosters. Accordingly, Air Malta may only presently deploy around 30 pilots to operate upcoming flights," ALPA said.

The union said the legal responsibility for such irregularity, "as well as the consequences stemming therefrom," will have to be borne by Air Malta CEO Clifford Chetcuti.

Talks had broken down when ALPA disputed the Government’s offer of a flat-pay of €1,200 monthly in view of its revenues grinding to a halt during the height of COVID-19. This has led to the Government proceeding to sack 69 pilots as it had initially announced, and demoted a number of others. ALPA has temporarily stopped the process in court.